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[WalkingWicket37]

That's been the best match so far!

Stop the associate nations playing in the World Cup? Get more of them in if they produce games like that!

[ProCricketer1982]

I enjoy associate cricket more than the top teams.. why.. because it's more related to the cricket 'we' as amateurs play. Amateur cricket is so far removed from normal Pro stuff it's unreal..

[WalkingWicket37]

Wasn't there a "right arm slow" bowler for the UAE today?

When I read that I pictured him as the 60 year old bloke who walks in off two paces and bowls 10mph wicket to wicket balls and is guaranteed to take at least a 4 fer every game 

[ProCricketer1982]

Wasn't there a "right arm slow" bowler for the UAE today?

When I read that I pictured him as the 60 year old bloke who walks in off two paces and bowls 10mph wicker to wicket balls and is guaranteed to take at least a 4 fer every game 

Scotland have Haq too.. Every club side has a guy who pies it up

[Stuey]

I think it would be ridiculous to reduce the wc to 10 teams

Agreed,  thought the ICC were meant to be spreading the game globally  not creating a private club.

[InternalTraining]

UAE team are actual part-time cricketers, all of them have jobs/careers. That is no excuse but explains the dismal defense of their decent score. Some of their batsmen did well!

Every now and then, I read about some "bright" idea from ICC a and reducing the WC to only top-8/10 or Test playing teams is one of them. Let "Associates" play in the big tourneys, ICC. Give them more opportunities to compete. Give their fans a chance to get engaged in the sport, albeit from their couches with a bowl of popcorn.

Ireland may make it to the QFs.

[uknsaunders]

I think the associates are closing the gap all the time. Biggest problem for the ICC is how best to accommodate them. I doubt after this world cup they can reduce numbers but at the sometime how do they get them more cricket outside the world cup?

[Sam]

Could try and run regional events every so often such as how the Asia cup has been done, best way you can split the top 24 teams geographically (few dodgy ones in there) is like :


India
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
Afghanistan
Nepal

Australia
New Zealand
Hong Kong
Papua New Guinea
USA
Bermuda

England
West Indies
Ireland
Scotland
Netherlands
Canada

South Africa
Zimbabwe
UAE
Kenya
Namibia
Uganda

Could probably fit in a quick ODI (or t20) tournament between 6 teams in 2 or 3 weeks.

[InternalTraining]

I think the associates are closing the gap all the time. Biggest problem for the ICC is how best to accommodate them. I doubt after this world cup they can reduce numbers but at the sometime how do they get them more cricket outside the world cup?

I was going to give the example of the Asia Cup but @Sam beat me to it. Afghanistan played in the last Asia Cup and they love their Cricket! Regional tourneys are a great idea. Also, intermediate or short tours where regional teams could play stronger teams before larger tourneys or tours as warm up tours. Pakistan playing Ireland or Scotland before touring England is an example . Mark Nicohls had a great idea about any teams playing Pakistan in UAE could have a few matches with UAE or other regional teams ( which would give the "Associates" great experience and help the tourist acclaimitize to the conditions ). There are different permutations. But "Associates" are making a great impression in this world cup and this could be a watershed moment in growth of international cricket.

[FattusCattus]

An associate XI to play against a weaker test nation would be quite cool - there a probably a few decent players in that!

Machan
Davey
Joyce
Murtagh
O'Briens
Wilson
Porterfield
Nabi
UAE captain
Couple of Dutch / Saffers

I bet anyone with a decent knowledge of the associates could put a decent side together.

[WalkingWicket37]

An associate XI to play against a weaker test nation would be quite cool - there a probably a few decent players in that!

Associates vs England you mean? 

[RF]

Who's everyone rooting for in tonight's game?

Bit of a tough one, one place is a god forsaken, under developed 3rd world country that's been ravaged by drug abuse, extremists and nutters wearing women's clothing who all hate the English and the other team's Afghanistan

[WalkingWicket37]

Who's everyone rooting for in tonight's game?

Bit of a tough one, one place is a god forsaken, under developed 3rd world country that's been ravaged by drug abuse, extremists and nutters wearing women's clothing who all hate the English and the other team's Afghanistan

Calm down! 

[InternalTraining]

I am picking the underdog for me and it is AFG.

[InternalTraining]

SCO 55-3 in 14 overs.